How many carbs are in half-and-half creamer?

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

For many, a splash of half-and-half is an essential part of their morning coffee, but its carb count can be a point of confusion for those monitoring their intake. A single tablespoon of standard half-and-half creamer contains around 0.6 to 1 gram of carbohydrates, making it a viable option for many low-carb diets when used in moderation.

Quick Summary

Half-and-half creamer typically contains less than 1 gram of carbs per tablespoon, primarily from the lactose in milk. Its carb content is higher than heavy cream but lower than milk, making it a suitable choice for low-carb and keto diets with careful portion control.

Key Points

Low Per Serving: A standard tablespoon of unflavored half-and-half contains approximately 0.6 to 1 gram of carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb diets in moderation.
Lactose is the Carb Source: The carbohydrate content in half-and-half comes from lactose, the natural sugar found in the milk portion of the creamer.
Portion Control is Crucial: While low per tablespoon, the carbs can add up with multiple servings or larger portions, especially for those on a strict ketogenic diet.
Avoid Flavored Versions: Many flavored half-and-half products contain added sugars and sweeteners that significantly increase the carb count.
Heavy Cream has Fewer Carbs: Due to a higher fat and lower lactose content, heavy whipping cream is a more carb-friendly option for very strict low-carb and keto diets.
Carb Count is Higher than Labeled: The practice of rounding nutritional information means a '0g carb' label on a creamer may still contain a small, non-zero amount of carbohydrates.

Half-and-Half Carb Count: The Breakdown

While a single tablespoon of half-and-half is very low in carbohydrates, the exact amount can vary slightly depending on the brand and whether the product is regular or flavored. The carbs in unflavored half-and-half come from lactose, the natural sugar found in milk. Since half-and-half is a blend of half whole milk and half heavy cream, it contains more lactose than heavy cream but less than whole milk. It’s a common misconception that half-and-half contains no carbs, which is due to labeling practices that allow products with less than 0.5g of a nutrient per serving to be listed as zero. While technically true for a very small serving, the carbs can quickly accumulate with larger or multiple servings. For instance, a full cup of half-and-half contains approximately 10 to 11 grams of carbohydrates.

Comparing Half-and-Half to Other Creamers

Understanding how half-and-half stacks up against other dairy and non-dairy creamers can help you make an informed decision for your dietary needs. The carbohydrate content is often a trade-off with fat content. Products with higher fat tend to have fewer carbs, as cream has a lower lactose concentration than milk. Heavy cream is a prime example, being much higher in fat and containing almost negligible carbs per tablespoon. On the other hand, milk alternatives like unsweetened nut milks often have low or zero carb counts, but lack the creamy texture of half-and-half. Flavored creamers, especially those that are “light,” are often a carb trap due to added sugars and thickening agents.

The Importance of Portion Control

For those on a strict ketogenic or very low-carb diet, portion control is key. A single tablespoon of half-and-half is unlikely to knock you out of ketosis, but adding multiple splashes to several coffees throughout the day can add up. It is crucial to measure your servings accurately to avoid unintentionally exceeding your daily carb limit. Using a measured tablespoon instead of free-pouring can make a significant difference. Furthermore, paying attention to what kind of half-and-half you are buying is important. Always check the nutrition label for added sugars, particularly on flavored versions, which can dramatically increase the carbohydrate count.

Low-Carb Creamer Alternatives

If you find that half-and-half's carb count is too high for your specific diet, there are several excellent low-carb alternatives available:

Heavy Whipping Cream: With a much higher fat content, heavy cream has less than 0.5g of carbs per tablespoon and is a very popular option for keto dieters.
Unsweetened Almond Milk: A very low-calorie and low-carb option, typically containing only 1 to 2 grams of net carbs per cup.
Unsweetened Coconut Cream or Milk: These plant-based options are higher in fat and rich, providing a creamy texture with a minimal carb count.
MCT Oil Powder: For those on a keto diet seeking to boost their fat intake, MCT powder can be added to coffee for a creamy texture and is typically very low in carbs.

How half-and-half compares to other dairy products


Feature	Half-and-Half (per tbsp)	Heavy Cream (per tbsp)	Whole Milk (per cup)	Fat-Free Half-and-Half (per tbsp)
Carbohydrates	~0.6-1g	<0.5g (rounded to 0g)	~11-12g	~1.35g
Fat Content	10.5-18%	36-40%	~3.25%	<0.5%
Calories	~20	~51	~150	~9
Keto Suitability	Suitable for moderate use	Highly suitable	Generally not recommended	Unsuitable (higher carbs)

Final Conclusion

In summary, half-and-half creamer contains a small amount of carbohydrates, typically under 1 gram per tablespoon, primarily from lactose. For individuals tracking their carbohydrate intake, especially those on a keto diet, this means half-and-half can be consumed in moderation, provided portion sizes are carefully measured and accounted for. While heavier cream varieties offer even lower carb counts per serving, half-and-half remains a perfectly acceptable choice for adding creaminess to coffee or recipes without a significant carb load, as long as it's unflavored and consumed mindfully. Always double-check nutrition labels, especially on flavored or reduced-fat varieties, which often contain added sugars. For more in-depth nutritional data on dairy products, you can consult the USDA FoodData Central website.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, standard half-and-half contains natural sugar in the form of lactose from the milk. Unflavored half-and-half has about 0.6-1g of carbohydrates per tablespoon, which is primarily this sugar.

Yes, in moderation. Half-and-half can be incorporated into a ketogenic diet, but it is important to track the carb intake carefully, as multiple servings can cause the carbs to accumulate.

Heavy cream is lower in carbs than half-and-half per serving because it has a higher fat content and therefore less lactose. A tablespoon of heavy cream has less than 0.5g of carbs, often rounded down to zero.

Some nutrition labels might list '0g total carbs' because the serving size contains less than 0.5g of carbohydrates. This is due to legal rounding rules and doesn't mean the product is truly carb-free.

Yes, using half-and-half in your coffee is fine for most low-carb diets. Just be mindful of the quantity, as large or frequent servings can add up. Stick to a tablespoon or two per cup.

No, most flavored half-and-half creamers are not low-carb. They typically contain added sugars and other flavorings that significantly increase the carbohydrate content, making them unsuitable for most low-carb diets.

Good low-carb alternatives include heavy whipping cream, unsweetened almond milk, or unsweetened coconut cream. These options provide creaminess with minimal carbohydrate content.